Rapid variability of the radio flux density of 0524 + 034

Simultaneous observations on the RATAN-600 radio telescope at 0.97, 2.3, 3.9, 7.7, 11.1, and 21.7 GHz during the period from January 3 to February 25, 1998, revealed variability of 0524+034 on time scales not exceeding 10 days. The variations are correlated at all frequencies where the parameters of the variability could be determined, including in the optically thick part of the spectrum. The mean spectrum of the variable component was derived and is in agreement with the spectrum of a homogeneous, spherically symmetrical source. In the optically thin part of the spectrum, the spectral index of the variable component is α=?0.2, reflecting the initial energy distribution of the relativistic electrons. It is argued that the variable emission is associated with the acceleration of electrons and amplification of the magnetic field and that adiabatic expansion can be neglected. It is proposed that the observed variability is due to illumination of inhomogeneities in the jet by a shock front passing through them and that the light curve reflects the distribution and characteristic sizes of these inhomogeneities (0.14–0.5 pc for angles to the line of sight not exceeding 10°, Lorentz factor γ=10, and adopted redshift z=0.5). In 0524+034, in addition to the rapidly variable component, there are two slowly varying components, one of which has α=?0.7 in the optically thin part of the spectrum.